Adjustable seat support for chairs



March 6, 1951 I P. MONDY 2,543,924

ADJUSTABLE SEAT SUPPORT FOR CHAIRS Original Filed April 5, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

Pe Te? Mendy March 6, 1951 MONDY 2,543,924

ADJUSTABLE SEAT SUPPQRT FOR CHAIRS Original Filed April 5, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 2

IN V EN TOR.

BY Peter- Mpny March 6, 1951 P. MONDY ADJUSTABLE SEAT SUPPORT FOR CHAIRS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed April 5, 1947 INVENTOR -PeleP Momjy BY% Z Patented Mar. 6, 1951 ADJUSTABLE SEAT SUPPORT FOR CHAIRS Peter Mendy, Detroit, Mich.

Original application April 5, 1947, Serial No. 739,553; Divided'and this application October 2, 1948, Serial No. 52,504

8 Claims. (Cl. 15593) An object of my invention islto provide. an in proved chair base of the foregoing character.

Another object is to provide an adjustable chair which maybe formed from a relatively small number of simple and inexpensive parts with a minimum of machined or close-fitting surfaces, and which may be assembled readily with a minimum of fitting or adjustment.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved height-adjusting mechanism for a chair of the type having a rotatable seat, which mechanism after .asimple adjustment, may be actuated by simply rotating the chair seat to the desired height.

Another object is to provide a heighteadjusting mechanism for a chair which is simple and rugged in construction, and easy to operate and which is substantially concealed within the chair base and seat supporting post and thus is protected again the entry of dirt and dust, presents a neat and attractive appearance and. eliminates the likelihood of damage to the clothes of the user.

Further and specific objects of the invention are to provide an improved swivel bearing which is simple in construction and which firmly mounts the chair. seat supporting post for rotation in the base in a stable upright position; to provide a seat supporting post which is substantially unencumbered by external adjusting mechanism; and to provide a height-adjusting mechanism which may be operated to adjust the chair seat to the desired height without soiling the hands or clothes.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the appended drawings, wherein: i I r r Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a chair constructed in accordance with my invention;

'Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevae tional view of a portion of thef chair-shown in Fig. 1 with certain of the'parts broken way and sectioned for a clearer understanding of the construction; V H

Fig. 3 is a rragmentary'side 'leva'tional view of the latching device for the"heig ht'-a djusting mechanism shown in gal Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary, perspective and partially exploded view of a portion of the chair shown in Fig. l with certain of the parts broken away and in section for a clearer understanding of the construction.

A chair embodying the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 1 and comprises generally a base I0, a supporting post rotatably mounted in the base I!) and adapted for vertical adjustment therein, a seat l2 mounted on the seatsupporting post H, and a back rest support l3 extending upwardly at the rear of the seat l2 and carrying a back rest. M.

The base In may be formed in any suitable manner but preferably is formed by casting it from light metal such as aluminum. The base may have the usual four legs which preferably are of hollow form but which are not shown or described in detail as they may be of any suitable construction. For supporting the chair post II in the base In a generally cylindrical socket I9 is provided (Fig. 2) preferably by casting a hub 20 integrally with the base. The hub 20' is substantially housed and concealed within the hollow base lo and is formed with open upper and lower ends.

A generally cylindrical spindle 2|, which may be formed from a steel tube, is journaled in the hub 20 by combined thrust and side-bearing means which maintains the vertical position of the spindle 2| but permits free rotation thereof in the hub 20. The bearing means includes an upper thrust bearing 22 which preferably takes the form of an annular self-lubricating ring pressed into the upper end of the hub 20 and seated against a shoulder 23 therein. The spindle 2| is supported by a flange 24 which may be formed integrally with the tube from which the spindle 2| is formed but preferably is formed as a separate ring and welded to the spindle tube. The spindle 2| is retained in the hub 20 by a retaining ring 25 preferably formed in two sections (Fig. 4) and secured to the base I!) (Fig. 2) as by screws 26 which are threaded into an upstanding portion 21 of the hub 2a which surrounds the upper open end of ,the socket l9, The flange 24 is formed with a peripheral groove 28 adapted to receive the retaining rings 25 and provide therewith means for preventing dust or other small foreign objects from entering the bearing 22. The bearing means also includes a lower bearing 3| which takes the form of an annular self-lubricating ring mounted in the lower end of the hub 2|] by an adapter or mounting ring'29 pressed into the lower end of the hub and seated against a shoulder 3c. The lower bearing 3| aids in maintaining the spindle in vertical position.

The spindle 2| supports a threaded heightadjusting element 34 which preferably is formed as a threaded stud secured rigidly in an end Wall or floor 35 secured to or integral with the tubular spindle body.

The supporting stem or post II is received in the spindle 2| in telescoping relation therewith, the fit between these members being sufficiently snug so that the post II is supported firmly in a vertical position by the spindle 2| but is suffrciently free therein to permit both axial sliding and angular rotational movement of the post II in the spindle 2|. The supporting stem or post carries at its lower end a threaded adjusting member 36 adapted to be screwed on to the threaded stud 34 for adjustably mounting the supporting post II on the stud 34. The post II preferably is formed as a tubular member and receives therein the adjusting member 33 which preferably takes the form of a nut having laterally extending diametrically opposed ears 31 adapted to enter opposed slots 38 (Fig. 4) formed in the side walls of the supporting post Ii adjacent its lower end. The slots 38 are of sufficient length to receive the ears 31 when th nut 32 is II in which the slots 38 are formed may be reduced in diameter to permit th ears 3? to be engaged by the lower edges of the slots inwardly of the ends of the ears sufiiciently'to insure that the ears will not slip out of the slots and at the same time permit the ears to be made of such lateral extent that they clear the inner wall of the spindle. The body of the nut 36 may be of lesser axial length than the ears 3! in order to permit the nut 36 to be inserted in th open end of the post II and locked into position to bring the ears into their slots 38 readily and without necessitating lengthening the slots substantially beyond the length of the ears to permit this manipulation of the nut.

After assembly of the nut 36 in its position (Fig. 2) in the end of the post H and with the ears 3! in their slots 38, the post I and spindle 2| are assembled by inserting the lower end of the post II in the upper open end of the spindle 2|. The nut 36 is then screwed on to the stud 34 by rotating the post II, the upper end of the stud being non-threaded and reduced in diameterv to permit easy insertion of the stud end in the nut. It will be seen from the foregoing that since the spindl 2| is rotatably supported in the base I the spindle, together with the post I I, may be rotated together as a unit relative to the base, in which case the post I I will remain in the same position of vertical adjustment with respect to the spindle and to the base I0. On the other hand, if the spindle is held against rotation in the base and the post II is rotated, the nut 36 will advance along the adjusting stud to displace the post axially with respect to the spindle 2| to raise or lower the post I I according to the direction in which it is rotated.

Means. are provided for selectively locking the spindle either to the post II for rotation there-- with so that when the latter is rotated no height adjustment takes place or for locking the spindle 2| to the base I0 whereby, upon rotation of the post, vertical adjustment of the post is effected relative to the base. This means includes a twoposition toggle latch mechanism secured to a portion of the spindle 2| which projects upwardly out of the socket I9 and preferably located in a position where it can be operated by the user while seated in the chair. The latch mechanism includes a latch element 49 pivotally mounted as by shoulder screws 50 secured in spaced brackets 5| attached to the spindle 2| as by welding. The latch element 49 preferably is formed of sheet material bent intothe form of a yok the sides of which have projecting portions 52 providing locking toes adapted to enter an elongated opening 53 in the post I I when the latch element is in its upper position. The edges of the opening 53 serve as latching abutments for the latch element 49. The opening 53 is of such vertical length that it will receive the latch element 49 through the entire range of vertical adjustment of the post II. Each of the sides of the latch element 49 has an extending heel portion 54 adapted to enter one of a plurality of latching notches 55 (Fig. 4) formed in the retaining ring 25 when the latch element is in its lower position. The edges of each notch 55 serve as latching abutments for the latch element 49. Preferably at least four such notches 55 are provided although, as will become apparent hereinafter, it is only necessary that one opening be provided in the post.

The latch element 49 is urged into either of its two positions by a spring 56 (Fig. 3) anchored at its lower end by a stud 5! extending through the brackets 5| and secured therein as by split Washers 58 pressed into annular grooves near each end of the stud 51. The spring 56 is disposed substantially within the latch element 49 and the upper end is hooked through the top of the latch element 49. Thus, when the latch element is moved past dead center toward either its upper or lower position, it will be urged into such position by the spring 56 and held therein except when manually moved toward the opposite position. For convenience in manipulating the latch, the latch element 49 is provided with a handle 60 extending from the top thereof.

Normally, the latch element 49 is maintained in its upper position with' the locking toes 52 entering the elongated opening 53 in the post II, thereby locking the post II and spindle 2| positively together, thus permitting the chair post I l and spindle to turn freely on the base I I! without vertical displacement. When it is desired to change the adjustment of the height of the chair seat relative to the base ID, the latch element is withdrawn from the opening 53 and rocked downwardly toward its lower position. Owing to the toggle action provided by the spring 55, the latch element 49 is urged into its lower position, as soon as it has been moved past dead center, and in its lower position bears against the periphery of the retaining ring 25. The chair seat I2 is then rotated in the appropriate direction to rotate the chair post II and effect the desired height adjustment. Upon rotation of the chair seat through not more than one-quarter of a revolution, the latch element 49 is brought into position to enter one of the notches 55 and thus lock the spindle 2| to the base I0. Further rotation of the chair seat effects rotation of the post relative to the spindle and the adjusting nut carried by the post therefore is advanced along the stud, thereby elevating or depressing the post and the seat according to the direction of rotation of the latter. If, when the latch element is moved from it upper to its lower position, it should happen to enter one of the notches 55, rotation of the chair seat-wouldimmediately initiate. axial. adjusting. movement. of the. post ll... When the desired height.- ot. theseathasbeen obtained. the latch elementAS-is raised to-its upper position and the chair seat rotatedrtov a. sufificeint angle (always less than one complete turn): to bring. the toe 52 into positionswhere itenters elongated opening 53. Thespindle 2| is thereby locked to the post H. andlrotates therewith. so that the adjusting nut and stud. are rotated together and no vertical displacement oi the postv takes place; the chair seat lz thus is free to rotate in the base at the same elevation. Due to. the pitch of the threads on the. adjusting stud 34 and adjusting. nut 36, the seat l2 will only be elevated. or depressed a very slight distance during the partial rotation of the seat requiredto bring the latch element 49 into positionto engage m. the post opening 53 andthere is. no noticeableheight adjustment during this partial rotation...

The seat l2 (Fig.1.) which may .be of any desired construction and. preferably which. takes the form of a cushion asis customary, is supported at the upper. end of the post [I .by aseat support which. preferably includes. a mounting plate 6| (Fig... 2) and. a reinforcing plate 62 see cured to each other. and to. the chai'rpost l [preferably by: welding. Any .suitablemeans such, as that shown. generallyattii may be usedto providesupport for the. backrest support ,l3. onthe chair .post .H.

From. the foregoing it will be. seen that. my invention provides a novel. and improvedchair base and vertically adjustable. spindle which is, of sturdy construction. but .which may be made light in weight, and which may be manufactured and assembled readily and relatively inexpensively..

The construction involves a minimum. of machined parts or parts requiring close tolerances. Many of the parts may be made by casting or stamping, or from bar, rod or tube stock by simple operations. The parts may be assembled readily with. a minimum of fitting or adjusting.

The seat height-adjusting. mechanism is simple but sturdy and may be operated conveniently. It is substantially housed and concealed and thus is well protected against dust and dirt; in addition the chair base and spindle present a neat and pleasing appearance. The swivel mounting requires no. lubrication or other attention andis efiective to maintain the chair post in stable up right position.

While I have shown and described herein one form of structure"embodying"my invention, it will beunderstood that changes indetails and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Iclaim:

1. An adjustable chair comprising a basehaving a socket therein formed withran open upper end, a hollow spindle .journaled in said socket and having an open upper end, axthreaded'. heightadjusting stud disposed in said spindle and secured at its lower end to said spindle for rotation therewith, a chair post telescopingly received in said spindle through the upper end thereof for rotation and sliding axial movement in said spindle, a seat support mounted on said post, a threaded height-adjusting nut carried by said post and threaded onto said stud, said spindle and said post providing means for enclosing said stud and said nut, and means for connecting said spindle selectively to said base, whereby upon rotation of said seat support said nut travels along said. stud to adjust the height of said seat support relative to said base, and for connecting said spindle to said post, whereby said seat support is rotatable at a fixed height relatively to said base.

2. An adjustable chair comprising afbase hav-- ing a, socket therein formed with an open upper end, a hollow spindle j'ournaled in said socket and having a portion projecting upward-1y out of said socket, and formed with an open upper end, a

threaded, adjusting stud disposed in said spindle and secured at its lower end to said spindl for rotation therewith, a chair post telescopingly received in said spindle through the open upper end thereof for rotation and sliding axial movement in said spindle, a seat support mounted on said, post, a threaded height-adjusting nut carried' by said post and threaded onto said stud, saidpost and said spindle providing means for enclosing said stud and nut, and means carried on said projecting. portion of said spindle for connecting said spindle selectivelyto said base whereby upon rotation of said seat support said nut advances along said stud to adjust the height of said seat support relative to said base, and for connecting said spindle to said post whereby said seat support is rotatable at a fixed height relatively to said base.

3. An adjustable chair comprising a base having a socket therein formed with an open upper end, a hollow spindle journaled in said socket and having an open upper end, a threaded'adjusting stud disposed in'said spindle and secured,- at its. lower end to said spindle for rotation therewith, a hollow chair post telescopingly received in said spindle through the open upper end thereof for rotation and axial sliding movement in said spindle, a chair seat support mounted on said post, a threaded adjusting nut disposed. withinthe lower end of said post and having extending projections seated in openings in the wall of said post for securing said nut in said post, said nut being threaded onto said stud, said. spindle and said post providing means for concealing said stud and nut, and means for connecting aid spindle selectively to said base, whereby upon rotation of said seat support said nut travels along said stud to adjust the height of. said seat support relative to said base, or to said. post, whereby said seat support is rotatable at a fixed height relatively to said base.

4. An adjustable chair comprising a chair base having a socket formed with an open upper end, a. hollow spindle journaled in said socket and having a. portion projecting. upwardly out of said socket and a. peripheral retaining flange in. the upper end of said. socket, a retaining ring surrounding the projecting end of. said spindle and secured to said base. in a position to engage said retaining; flange for retaining said spindle insaid socket, a latching notch in said retaining, ring, a

first. threaded,height-adjusting element secured in said' spindle for rotation. therewith, a chair post telescopingly received in said spindle for rotation and for sliding axial movement therein and having a latching abutment thereon, a chair seat support mounted on said post, a second threaded height-adjusting element carried by said post and threadedly engaging said first height-adjusting element, and a latch element pivoted on said projecting portion of said spindle for movement between a position in the latching notch in said retaining ring and locking said spindle to said base, whereby upon rotation of said seat support said threaded adjusting elements advance relatively to adjust the height of 7 saidseat support relatively to said base, and a position wherein said latching element engages said latching abutment on said post whereby said seat support is rotatable at a fixed height relative to said base.

5. An adjustable chair comprising a chair base havin a socket formed with an open upper end and a latching abutment adjacent said upper end, a hollow spindle journaled in said socket, a threaded height-adjusting stud having its lower end secured in said spindle for rotation therewith, a chair post telescopingly received in said socket for rotation and Sliding axial movement thereinand having a latching opening therein, a chair seat support mounted on said post, a threaded height-adjusting nut carried at the lower end of said post and threaded onto said stud, said spindle and said post providing means for substantially enclosing said stud and nut, and a latch element pivotally mounted on said spindle for movement between a position engaging said latching abutment in said base and locking said spindle to said base, whereby upon rotation of said seat support, said nut travels along said stud to adjust the height of said seat support relative to said base and a position engaging said latching opening in said post whereby said spindle is locked to said post for rotation therewith and said seat support is rotatable at a fixed height relatively to said base.

6. An adjustable chair comprising a chair base having a socket formed with an open upper end and a latching notch adjacent said upper end of said socket, spaced bearings in said socket adjacent the top and bottom ends thereof, a hollow spindle journaled in said bearings, a threaded height-adjusting stud having its lower end secured in said spindle for rotation therewith, a chair post telescopingly received in said socket for rotation and sliding axial movement therein and having an elongated latching opening extending through its wall, a chair seat support mounted on said post, a threaded height-adjusting nut carried at the lower end of said post and threaded onto said stud, said spindle and said post providing means for substantially enclosing said stud and nut, and a latch element pivotally mounted on said spindle adjacent the upper end thereof for movement between a position engaging said latching notch in said base and locking said spindle to said base, whereby upon rotation of said seat support, said nut travelsalong said studs to adjust the height of said chair seat support relative to said base and a position engaging said latching opening in said post, whereby said spinupper end of said socket, a retaining ring surrounding the projecting end of said spindle and in a position to engage said retaining flange and retain said spindle in said socket, a latching notch in said retaining ring, a threaded height-adjusting stud secured at its lower end in said spindle for rotation therewith, a chair post telescopingly received in said spindle for rotation and sliding axial movement therein and having an elongated latching opening extending through its wall, a chair seat support mounted on said post, a threaded height-adjusting nut carried at the lower end of said post and threaded onto said stud, said spindle and said post providing means for substantially enclosing said stud and nut, and a latch element pivotally mounted on the projecting portion of said spindle for movement between a position engaging said latching notch in said retaining ring and locking said spindle to said base, whereby upon rotation of said seat support, said nut travels along said stud to adjust the height of said seat support relative to said base, and a position engaging said latching opening in said post, whereby said spindle is locked to said post for rotation therewith and said seat support is rotatable at a fixed height relative to said base.

8. An adjustable chair comprising a chair base having a socket having a latching abutment thereon, a hollow spindle journaled in said socket,

gated latching slot in its side wall providing a latching abutment, a chair seat support mounted on said post, asecond threaded height-adjusting element carried by said post and threadedly engaging said first adjusting member, said spindle and said post providing means for substantially enclosing said adjusting members, a latching element pivotally carried by said spindle for movement between a position engaging the latching abutment on said base and locking said spindle to said base, whereby upon rotation of said chair seat support relative movement of said adjusting members is effected in a direction axially of said post to adjust the height of said seat support, and a position engaging the latching abutment on said ,post, whereby said spindle is locked to said post and said seat support is rotatable at a fixed height.

PETER, MQNDY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,160,108 Hasty Nov. 9, 1915 1,270,350 Watkins June 25, 1918 2,393,242 Flogaus Jan. 22, 1946 

